It has been over 600 days since I’ve had a permanent address. After I evacuated my home in northern Israel, which was damaged by the aftershock of Hezbollah’s rockets, I have been staying in Tel Aviv. Thankfully I’m safe after the attack by Iran over the last week, but many of the buildings around me have been damaged – destroyed facades, shattered glass, rubble from the ceiling covering all of my worldly possessions in a fine layer of dust.
During the last barrage of missiles, I made my way to a shelter with many of my neighbors. As I emerged taking in the damage, helping people who were going into shock, watching people run out of the buildings, some without shoes on, some with a few possessions thrown into bags, I saw it. Among the destruction, a Jewish National Fund-USA Firetruck, first on the scene, stood out like a beacon of hope. Even as I recount those first few hours, that is the one image that struck me the most.
The presence of that firetruck wasn’t a coincidence. It wasn't a miracle. It was there because of communication, planning, support, donations, and dedication.
Because of people like you.
I’ve had the honor and privilege of working with Jewish National Fund-USA, staffing many of the Volunteer Missions. Once again, I got to see, experience, and benefit from the incredible work JNF-USA does. Not in theory, not in a presentation, but in real time, when it mattered most.
It was at that moment that I was reminded how interconnected we are, each of us with a role to play. We are never alone.
I am personally beyond grateful to each and every one of Jewish National Fund-USA’s partners for their support and dedication to ensuring a vibrant and prosperous Israel. Thank you. We are here. And we are still standing. We will thrive.
